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Mike Patrick
1944 - 2025
Mike Patrick
1944 - 2025
Obituary
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BORN
1944
DIED
2025
Mike Patrick Obituary
Mike Patrick, a broadcaster who spent 36 years doing play-by-play with ESPN, died April 20, 2025, in Fairfax, Virginia at the age of 80.
Patrick was a mainstay on ESPN, joining the influential sports network in 1982 and remaining there for the next 36 years as a play-by-play announcer. He was best known as the voice of Sunday Night Football, a post he held for 18 years, from 1987 to 2005. Though best known for his football work, Patrick also covered women's basketball, college baseball and basketball, and more, including some of the biggest college rivalries of his era. He retired from ESPN in 2018.
Former colleagues paid tribute to him on the social media platform X, with former NFL great Joe Theismann saying, "Mike Patrick was more than just a broadcast partner, he was one of my dearest friends. A true gentleman and professional. Working with Mike was fun and easy because he made it that way." Broadcast partner Len Elmore said, "Mike Patrick was one of the truly great sports broadcasters and it was an honor to be his college basketball telecast partner for so many years calling ACC and early AAC games. He was genuine!"
By Eric San Juan
(Image: ESPN Images)
3 Entries
Steve Bassett
April 25, 2025
I was devasted by the news of Mike's passing. He's been my friend for 50 years. I met Mike in 1975 when he was hired to be the weekend sportscaster at WMAL-TV/7 in Washington, DC. I was the weekday sportscaster. Mike was a gem. He was the best play-by-play sportscaster ever. He taught me how to do the job the right way. We saw each other off and on over the years. Played golf now and then. Talked often. He was a good friend and one of the nicest people I have ever known I'm going to miss our occasional chats. Rest in Peace my friend. You earned it.
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Carl Franks
April 24, 2025
Always liked watching Mike Patrick and Joe Theismann calling games on Sunday Night Football (prior to NBC) and Joe always had to stay neutral when Washington was playing. Mike will be missed by all of the NFL fans around the world and there's a Golden Microphone waiting for him in heaven.
Tanya, Joe and Parker Kukral
April 24, 2025
There wasn't a nicer guy than Mike. Mike was my step- brother and was always so kind to my family. He would visit my Dad weekly at Ashby Ponds in his final years. My Dad always looked forward to his visits.
I will never forget when Mike secured 2 tickets for me for the Broncos/Eagles game so that I could impress my boyfriend at the time, who was a Bronco's fanatic. Well I guess it worked because that boyfriend "Joe"is now my husband.
Rest in peace Mike. You will be missed!!!
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